If Boris Johnson had met my patients, he’d know they can’t wait five years for food and beds

The prime minister says he intends to get a social care plan ‘done’ by the end of this parliament’s term. But as a doctor who sees the daily realities of over-stretched services, waiting that long isn’t an option, writes Berenice Langdon

In January, the PM admitted he did not have a worked-up plan to end the social care crisis (Getty)

I’m doing a home visit,” I told the reception team in case they needed to find me. “It’s not going to be pretty.”

It wasn’t. The flat’s front door was opened by a woman only half-dressed, wearing an overcoat to offset the lack of underwear. As she shuffled into the front room, the smell was almost like a physical blow; urine, old food rotting and stale air. I had to grab a breath from the hallway to acclimatise, my eyes watering. Wearing masks, gowns and shoe guards, the district nurses had been heroically caring for her. Because she had run out of food, they had also popped to the shops and brought back milk and bread.

I’ve had adult safeguarding training but no one would need training to know that this was a vulnerable adult. As soon as I returned to the clinic, I telephoned social services. I wanted a deep clean, home helps twice a day to wash and dress her, and meals on wheels. Mrs Olgilvie was mobile and alert, she would do well.